Our Snoozing Press Awakens!
Suddenly using military force to defend vaguely defined "American Interests" isn't good enough for 'em? Where have these watchdogs been hiding for the past ten years?
The American press is united (along with the Republican party) in their criticism of this latest escapade. It's almost as if some memo went out!
Reality seems quite different from where I'm standing. Juan Cole has a good take on Obama's position here.
3/29/2011
3/22/2011
Here's the laugh out loud and slap the table quote of the day...
"Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, a Republican on the House armed services committee, was among members who argued that military action in Libya was unconstitutional. He told the Hill magazine: "The United States does not have a King's army. President Obama's unilateral choice to use US military force in Libya is an affront to our constitution.""
The list of military actions which have been heartily applauded by our fearless leaders in congress is a long list indeed. How many "unconstitutional" military actions can you name?
"Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, a Republican on the House armed services committee, was among members who argued that military action in Libya was unconstitutional. He told the Hill magazine: "The United States does not have a King's army. President Obama's unilateral choice to use US military force in Libya is an affront to our constitution.""
The list of military actions which have been heartily applauded by our fearless leaders in congress is a long list indeed. How many "unconstitutional" military actions can you name?
1/30/2011
1/10/2011
A minor revelation: when people complain that you can't believe what you read on the net, it's not because there isn't factual information on the net, it's because they're not seeking factual information- it's because they're seeking authority.
There is a difference. Suppose I want to know how many tons of coal are mined in this country every year. I'm certain I could find that information on the net. Not only that, I could find some cross-references and I could verify the information, or possibly learn that nobody can say exactly how much coal is mined.
In the end, I would have satisfied myself on this point, and I would understand how I got there.
A person seeking authority doesn't care about all of that- they just want "a fact". They want the national association of coal producer's statement of fact, or something like it.
And so, if they can't be sure they have got hold of the authority on the subject, they will doubt the facts.
There is a difference. Suppose I want to know how many tons of coal are mined in this country every year. I'm certain I could find that information on the net. Not only that, I could find some cross-references and I could verify the information, or possibly learn that nobody can say exactly how much coal is mined.
In the end, I would have satisfied myself on this point, and I would understand how I got there.
A person seeking authority doesn't care about all of that- they just want "a fact". They want the national association of coal producer's statement of fact, or something like it.
And so, if they can't be sure they have got hold of the authority on the subject, they will doubt the facts.
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